Anthony enjoys comeback win at Ludlow

Stefan Anthony made a victorious return to action as Ludlow shut-out Newcastle in Midlands Two West (North).

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Joe Doyle on his way to scoring

Ben Chamberlain at the base of the ruck

Second row Anthony was back two years after being named Ludlow’s player of the year and following major knee surgery.

Anthony, who took the man of the match award, and his fellow forwards impressed to help their side to a 17-0 triumph.

As the pitch cut up under an onslaught of snow and then rain, Ludlow kept Newcastle pinned in their own half for much of the time.

Ludlow showed their ambition to run the ball two or three times, before the pitch cut up, and the first try came as Laurence Hughes beat his man and passed inside to Joe Doyle, who still had plenty to do to make the line.

Will Sparrow added the conversion and a penalty a few minutes later.

After a half-time talking to Newcastle began the second half in full attack mode and Ludlow were forced to defend hard for long periods.

But their defence stood firm before hooker Ben Chamberlain secured the win with an opportunist try.

With a scrum on their own line, Newcastle got the ball back and should have cleared to touch. But they were slow and Chamberlain spotted that the ball was out and over the line and dived in to get a clean touch to the ball. Sparrow added the conversion.